London To Brighton 2013
Discussion
Morning
So how did people get on ?
Was my 1st L2B although I had enjoyed the Farnham and 3 Counties 50's last year so not my 1st longer run out (riding MTB on slicks). Started at 9.30 (not my choice as I knew we'd be behind 35,000 people (correction 28,500 having read BHF website)) but wished we'd just joined the riders 500m down the road to avoid waiting around having arrived 45 mins early.
Having started towards the back it was unfortunately a bit of a day of stops and starts - probably spent well over 2 hours stood around waiting (there were apparently a couple of crashes so understandable delays). The organisers did a good job of marshalling people through at Ditchling (we were told there had been a crash) so whilst we waited a long time to get up we were able to ride up it (unfortunately I lost the will to live not realising I only had about 200m to go).
Good atmosphere all round but having scratched the itch I probably wont do it again - just too many people on the road making it dangerous IMO. I propbably saw 2-3 people going down and passed another couple of nasty ones with the medics in attendance - hopefully all here made it round ok. I just wasnt happy doing 30+ mph with the possibility of a weaver taking out my front wheel - the guy on the hill about 10 miles or so in who looked like he had rashed his face was a bit sobering - hope hes ok !
All in all it was an enjoyable experience - honest - but will probably stick to lower entrance rides like the ones previously mentioned (although it was nice having closed roads).
Transport back was very good - I took the coach/lorry option and was departing within 20 mins of getting there.
Didnt see a single PH top - probably well down the road - can we have a MTB top please
Hope everyone else had an enjoyable and safe day out.
PO
So how did people get on ?
Was my 1st L2B although I had enjoyed the Farnham and 3 Counties 50's last year so not my 1st longer run out (riding MTB on slicks). Started at 9.30 (not my choice as I knew we'd be behind 35,000 people (correction 28,500 having read BHF website)) but wished we'd just joined the riders 500m down the road to avoid waiting around having arrived 45 mins early.
Having started towards the back it was unfortunately a bit of a day of stops and starts - probably spent well over 2 hours stood around waiting (there were apparently a couple of crashes so understandable delays). The organisers did a good job of marshalling people through at Ditchling (we were told there had been a crash) so whilst we waited a long time to get up we were able to ride up it (unfortunately I lost the will to live not realising I only had about 200m to go).
Good atmosphere all round but having scratched the itch I probably wont do it again - just too many people on the road making it dangerous IMO. I propbably saw 2-3 people going down and passed another couple of nasty ones with the medics in attendance - hopefully all here made it round ok. I just wasnt happy doing 30+ mph with the possibility of a weaver taking out my front wheel - the guy on the hill about 10 miles or so in who looked like he had rashed his face was a bit sobering - hope hes ok !
All in all it was an enjoyable experience - honest - but will probably stick to lower entrance rides like the ones previously mentioned (although it was nice having closed roads).
Transport back was very good - I took the coach/lorry option and was departing within 20 mins of getting there.
Didnt see a single PH top - probably well down the road - can we have a MTB top please
Hope everyone else had an enjoyable and safe day out.
PO
Edited by Pot Odds on Monday 17th June 14:03
Three hours forty here.
Would have been happy with that but the day was ruined for us by one of out team being in an accident.
We had a two groups: a quicker group and a slower group who were happy to stop a few times etc.
One of the second group was clipped by a rider who squeezed up her left and then cut across the front of her.
Bad enough, but failing to stop was even worse.
Fortunately not seriously hurt but, but serous cuts requiring a day in hospital and possibly requiring surgery in the future.
Would have been happy with that but the day was ruined for us by one of out team being in an accident.
We had a two groups: a quicker group and a slower group who were happy to stop a few times etc.
One of the second group was clipped by a rider who squeezed up her left and then cut across the front of her.
Bad enough, but failing to stop was even worse.
Fortunately not seriously hurt but, but serous cuts requiring a day in hospital and possibly requiring surgery in the future.
Pot Odds said:
Good atmosphere all round but having scratched the itch I probably wont do it again -
I did it as the Saturday activity as part of a stag do back in April. Perfect weather and a tailwind almost helped to counter the debilitating hangover and 5hit night’s sleep from the Friday night. Some of it is great, that climb on the beacon and then the run over the top down into Brighton is fantastic. There are sections and areas I'd travel to to ride again but like you I don't think I'd ever do the full L2B again. We had the roads to ourselves and just pitched up on the Sunday and got on the train with our bikes with no hassle. The thought of doing it with thousands of other riders and having to get a bus back does not appeal at all.
I did it in my PH top - did see one other PH'er on the way (hello!)
That was my 5th L2B it's a good laugh - but you defo need to get an early start, otherwise it's just carnage, everywhere.
As usual a lot of expensive carbon fibre being pushed up the beacon (although I can talk, as this was the 1st time I managed to ride all the way up)
That was my 5th L2B it's a good laugh - but you defo need to get an early start, otherwise it's just carnage, everywhere.
As usual a lot of expensive carbon fibre being pushed up the beacon (although I can talk, as this was the 1st time I managed to ride all the way up
)I've sort of promised a mate who did it yesterday that I would join him in 2014 but the talk of hold ups, crashes and crowds does not sound too good.
I did it on my own a couple of years back. Just got up one morning, pulled out my old heavy bike, packed a banana and some water and off I went. Avoided Ditchling by going down the Western Route passing Box Hill and I did stop after 30 miles for a pint of ale and a fish and chip lunch so took 6 hours to cover 60 miles in the end
It was the first time I'd gone more than 10 miles.
I did it on my own a couple of years back. Just got up one morning, pulled out my old heavy bike, packed a banana and some water and off I went. Avoided Ditchling by going down the Western Route passing Box Hill and I did stop after 30 miles for a pint of ale and a fish and chip lunch so took 6 hours to cover 60 miles in the end
It was the first time I'd gone more than 10 miles.
It's a shame the L2B has got like this.
One the one hand, it's a great occassion with a fantastic atmosphere (not to memntion a worthwhile cause), but then that's tempered by the sheer numbers of utter numpties/nodders with zero road sense, spatial awareness or bike handling skills who are a danger to themselves and all around them.
I really, really hope the forthcoming London 100 doesn't turn out to be similar (crosses fingers for 6am start time).
One the one hand, it's a great occassion with a fantastic atmosphere (not to memntion a worthwhile cause), but then that's tempered by the sheer numbers of utter numpties/nodders with zero road sense, spatial awareness or bike handling skills who are a danger to themselves and all around them.
I really, really hope the forthcoming London 100 doesn't turn out to be similar (crosses fingers for 6am start time).
croyde said:
I've sort of promised a mate who did it yesterday that I would join him in 2014 but the talk of hold ups, crashes and crowds does not sound too good.
It's a nice route, so simply do it off your own backs on a different weekend - why wait to do it with '000s of others.Edited by option click on Monday 17th June 12:11
It was my first time too - 7.37 start, got to the finish at 11.45 or thereabouts. So 4.08 start to finish and about 3.45 actually moving. First half was a bit of a waste of time - too busy and very stop /start but once we were south of the M25 it was plain sailing down to the finish line really.
I did enjoy it and I'm glad that I have done it - but I don't think I'd go out of my way to do it again. Perhaps London - Paris or JOGLE for the next challenge.
I did enjoy it and I'm glad that I have done it - but I don't think I'd go out of my way to do it again. Perhaps London - Paris or JOGLE for the next challenge.
option click said:
It's a nice route, so simply do it off your own backs on a different weekend - why wait to do it with '000s of others.
I know what you're saying but unless you live in central London I can't think of any good reason to ride the route unless you were doing it for a charity event. If you want to do 50 odd miles there are plenty of nice routes south of the M25 through Sussex and Surrey, before that most of it will be stop-start urban roads which hold no appeal for riding imo.Edited by duff on Monday 17th June 12:33
Did it yesterday for the first time, and it was a loooong day! Stayed overnight at my brother's in London N7, so it was a 9.5 mile ride down to the start.
We had a 9.30 start, so it was chaos from the off. It took over 2 hours to complete the first 8 miles, and then we had several long waits of either standing still or walking very slowly for 45 mins plus. As said before, some of these were to clear the road following crashes/accidents, which obviously I can't comment on the cause of as I didn't see them. Hope everyone involved was okay.
Some of the most annoying delays were caused by people walking/stopping going up hills, but not pulling over to the left, so the road just became clogged with slow/stationary riders. I'm no hill climbing expert, as I live in the fens, but I was very proud of myself for making it up Ditchling Beacon without stopping, passing hundreds, and only getting passed by a couple!
Traffic leaving Brighton in the car was a nightmare yesterday, didn't get home until gone midnight!
I think I'll do it again, but will definitely go for a 6.30 start. I raised £175 + gift aid, so it was definitely worth it!
We had a 9.30 start, so it was chaos from the off. It took over 2 hours to complete the first 8 miles, and then we had several long waits of either standing still or walking very slowly for 45 mins plus. As said before, some of these were to clear the road following crashes/accidents, which obviously I can't comment on the cause of as I didn't see them. Hope everyone involved was okay.
Some of the most annoying delays were caused by people walking/stopping going up hills, but not pulling over to the left, so the road just became clogged with slow/stationary riders. I'm no hill climbing expert, as I live in the fens, but I was very proud of myself for making it up Ditchling Beacon without stopping, passing hundreds, and only getting passed by a couple!
Traffic leaving Brighton in the car was a nightmare yesterday, didn't get home until gone midnight!
I think I'll do it again, but will definitely go for a 6.30 start. I raised £175 + gift aid, so it was definitely worth it!
Excellent - good to hear I wasnt the only one out there - was surprised no one had started the thread.
Having looked at my Strava we spent well over 2.5 hrs stationary (we stopped once for a 15 min break and a couple of v short stops to take off base layer etc).
Ditchling was at a standstill when we got there - waited for ages.
Fair play to the organisers though - by the time it got as busy as it did they were only letting people down some of the black spot bits in small groups. It was a pain to wait but very necesary for safety.
BHF website says 28,500 riders so not quite as many as had been suggested to me on the day although this wont include those who just decided to join in.
On a plus side I agree with others that once out of London and into surrey, sussex it is a lovely ride. Also saw, Mario, Luigi, Spiderman, and the Blues Brothers on a tandem, complete with full suits and trilbys on top of their helmets !!
My PH spot of the day was a black 458 and black mp4-12c both parked on a drive as the coach wound its way out of Brighton or its suburbs - very nice road of houses too. Any better spots ? Also noticed a very nice house called Kenton (very prominant sign) whislst on the ride but resisted the temptation......Kenton, Kenton, KENTON, oh god no KENTON !
I clearly should have spent more time focussing on getting round quicker - Good times
Having looked at my Strava we spent well over 2.5 hrs stationary (we stopped once for a 15 min break and a couple of v short stops to take off base layer etc).
Ditchling was at a standstill when we got there - waited for ages.
Fair play to the organisers though - by the time it got as busy as it did they were only letting people down some of the black spot bits in small groups. It was a pain to wait but very necesary for safety.
BHF website says 28,500 riders so not quite as many as had been suggested to me on the day although this wont include those who just decided to join in.
On a plus side I agree with others that once out of London and into surrey, sussex it is a lovely ride. Also saw, Mario, Luigi, Spiderman, and the Blues Brothers on a tandem, complete with full suits and trilbys on top of their helmets !!
My PH spot of the day was a black 458 and black mp4-12c both parked on a drive as the coach wound its way out of Brighton or its suburbs - very nice road of houses too. Any better spots ? Also noticed a very nice house called Kenton (very prominant sign) whislst on the ride but resisted the temptation......Kenton, Kenton, KENTON, oh god no KENTON !
I clearly should have spent more time focussing on getting round quicker - Good times
Edited by Pot Odds on Monday 17th June 14:01
I did it a couple of years on the trot, once with a very late start time and once with a very early start time. Late start was frustrating due to delays and accidents, but overall probably a more enjoyable experience, like a big cycling carnival with a great atmosphere along the way and at the finish. Starting early it's just you and the rest of the roadie lot, which is fine, but just like any other ride.
I'm doing the BHF night ride for the first time this year, anyone else entered?
I'm doing the BHF night ride for the first time this year, anyone else entered?
I've done this 4 times now and each time have started either 6am or 6.30am and imo it's the way to go as the congestion is not too bad and less risk of getting caught up in the aftermath of accidents.
4hrs 25mins this year for me at an average of 13.6mph (on a Bianchi road bike) with two stops which isn't too bad considering a small knee injury I've been carrying for several months - I took it fairly easy, had the knee strapped up and it only started to play up from 40 miles in.
Still poor roadcraft though, if anything it was worse this year - mainly riders failing to check before moving out to overtake rider in front/weaving around etc.
4hrs 25mins this year for me at an average of 13.6mph (on a Bianchi road bike) with two stops which isn't too bad considering a small knee injury I've been carrying for several months - I took it fairly easy, had the knee strapped up and it only started to play up from 40 miles in.
Still poor roadcraft though, if anything it was worse this year - mainly riders failing to check before moving out to overtake rider in front/weaving around etc.
BHF have updated their site, they reckon 28,500 entries this year: https://www.bhf.org.uk/get-involved/events/bike-ri...
Not sure if this is number of registered entries, or number of medals given out at the end - as someone on here or BikeRadar forum said, there is often a few/many "ghost" entries, i.e. they don't pay the BHF anything, and just pitch up and ride.
Not sure if this is number of registered entries, or number of medals given out at the end - as someone on here or BikeRadar forum said, there is often a few/many "ghost" entries, i.e. they don't pay the BHF anything, and just pitch up and ride.
I was walking the dog up Ditchling about 10 o'clock Sunday and saw some seriously quick looking riders coming down Ditchling Road having just crunched the Beacon. It was inspirational. I was put off ever doing it again after my experience a few years back but I was with my GF and got caught in the thick of inexperienced riders who decided to have a mass walking picnic up the Beacon. I also saw some of the worst and wobbliest riding in all my life, like a giant cycling proficiency for special people.
Anyway, I think I might give it another go and try and get an early slot and do it properly. There's a night one in September. Ride up first of course!
As for the traffic comments, I rode back through Brighton in the evening (really bad idea) and the A23 was a car park, must have taken hours getting out of Brighton for the non-locals who don't know the secret escape route!
Anyway, I think I might give it another go and try and get an early slot and do it properly. There's a night one in September. Ride up first of course!
As for the traffic comments, I rode back through Brighton in the evening (really bad idea) and the A23 was a car park, must have taken hours getting out of Brighton for the non-locals who don't know the secret escape route!
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